SHAH ALAM - Sinar Daily has clinched regional recognition after winning the Best News Website/App Relaunch category at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2026 in Manila.
The win marks a major milestone for Sinar Daily following the relaunch of its mobile app, which places user well-being and meaningful engagement at the heart of the news experience.
Speaking on the achievement, Sinar Daily editor Tasnim Lokman said the platform was intentionally designed to counter the overwhelming nature of modern digital consumption.
“We built the Sinar Daily mobile app to reclaim the digital experience for the human spirit. While the world is caught in a cycle of ‘doomscrolling’ and the relentless pressure of social comparison, we chose a different path: a place of information designed for comfort reading, even on a bad day,” she said.
Tasnim added that the app removes common stressors found on traditional platforms.
“By stripping away the noise of toxic comments and the weight of public metrics, we’ve created a space where news isn’t just consumed, it’s understood.
"Our platform harnesses the familiar, rhythmic ease of the scroll to offer a look at Malaysia and the world through a lens of aesthetic calm,” she said.
She noted that the recognition affirms the team’s vision of redefining how audiences engage with news.
“This award validates our belief that staying informed should feel like self-care, not a chore. We are proud to prove that technology can enlighten us without exhausting us,” she added.
Launched in 2021, Sinar Daily is an English-language digital news portal under the Sinar Karangkraf media group, created to expand into the English digital media space and reach a younger, digitally savvy audience. It serves as the English-language arm of the Malay daily Sinar Harian.
The platform provides real-time news, lifestyle content and exclusive reports, including investigative journalism, with a focus on national issues, sustainability and social matters.
Guided by its principle of being 'fearless and bold', Sinar Daily also delivers multimedia content including videos and podcasts, and is accessible through its website and mobile application.
Positioning itself as an independent and objective voice, Sinar Daily aims to bridge gaps in the English-language media landscape while highlighting key social, economic, civil and political issues, both locally and internationally.
The platform also engages in collaborative investigative journalism with other independent media organisations.
The latest win adds to Sinar Daily’s growing list of accolades. The platform previously won Gold for Best News Website (Small/Medium Media) at the Digital Media Asia Awards 2024, secured Silver at the 2023 edition and earned its first recognition at the MSOH Media Award 2022 for specialised reporting.
The Digital Media Awards Asia is part of Digital Media Asia (DMA), a premier regional event that brings together industry leaders to discuss trends, innovations and best practices in digital journalism.
Now in its 18th edition, the event continues to serve as a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among top publishers and media professionals across the region.